SANTIAGO — Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general.
Bachelet announced her decision on Saturday in a video shared on social media. She said she had decided not to continue her candidacy for the top UN post.
She also said she did not regret taking on the challenge. Bachelet added that her campaign helped promote debate about having a woman from Latin America lead the United Nations.
Bachelet Faced Weak Support
Bachelet’s withdrawal came after three informal polls by the UN Security Council.
Costa Rica’s former vice president Rebeca Grynspan led the first two polls. Guyana’s former foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett led the third poll.
The latest poll on September 18 placed Grynspan narrowly ahead of Rodrigues-Birkett. Bachelet was among the candidates with weaker support.
Chile had already withdrawn its nomination of Bachelet in March. However, Brazil and Mexico continued to nominate her for the post, according to UN records.
Bid to Make History
Bachelet served as Chile’s first woman president. She also held senior positions at the United Nations.
Her campaign sought to make history at the world body. No woman has served as UN secretary-general since the organization was founded 80 years ago.
Only one Latin American has previously held the post. Peru’s Javier Pérez de Cuéllar served as secretary-general from 1982 to 1991.
The next UN secretary-general will replace António Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31, 2026. The new secretary-general will begin a five-year term on January 1, 2027.
Seven Candidates Remain
Bachelet’s withdrawal leaves seven candidates in the race, according to the latest reporting.
The selection process will continue through consultations involving UN member states and the Security Council. The five permanent Security Council members will play a key role because the final choice requires broad council support before the General Assembly appoints the secretary-general.
